Career in venture debt investing vs. venture equity investing

I was curious if anybody could help explain a career in venture debt vs. venture equity. I searched all over WSO and doesn't seem to be a well covered topic.

From a a capital structure POV, I know the former invests using mezz debt and preferred stock whereas the latter is common stock. However, I'm curious to learn more about the trajectory and skillset of the debt side - would it prepare me to still be an equity investor in the future if I decide to change? Is the job any different from being a lender like Golub, Ares,etc.? Will I niche myself off?

I'm also curious on who the best players are in the market. I saw a great post from @APAE" on venture debt from earlier this year and mentioned a few key players. (WTI, Triplepoint, SLC Waterman, Bluecrest, Hercules Technology, Horizon Technology, Lighthouse, etc.)

2 Comments
 

Incidunt debitis fuga earum qui harum distinctio et repellat. Voluptatem hic nesciunt provident autem molestiae nostrum cumque. Voluptatem est sunt id odio.

Sed excepturi possimus ab doloremque. Laborum ducimus et ut error laborum dolorem ab asperiores. Autem eaque ex ut dicta. Maxime rerum inventore et omnis dolorem ipsum. Atque distinctio nobis illo quas excepturi sed voluptatum et. Animi numquam odio voluptate harum.

Career Advancement Opportunities

October 2026 Private Equity

  • Blackstone Group 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.3%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.9%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.5%
  • Vista Equity Partners 98.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

October 2026 Private Equity

  • Blackstone Group 99.6%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.3%
  • The Riverside Company 98.9%
  • Ardian 98.5%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

October 2026 Private Equity

  • Bain Capital 99.6%
  • Blackstone Group 99.3%
  • The Riverside Company 98.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.5%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.2%

Total Avg Compensation

October 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (100) $364
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (106) $280
  • 2nd Year Associate (236) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (414) $231
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (97) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (273) $126
  • Intern/Summer Associate (40) $79
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (357) $61
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”